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Introduction to Linux - A Hands on Guide

This guide was created as an overview of the Linux Operating System, geared toward new users as an exploration tour and getting started guide, with exercises at the end of each chapter.
For more advanced trainees it can be a desktop reference, and a collection of the base knowledge needed to proceed with system and network administration. This book contains many real life examples derived from the author's experience as a Linux system and network administrator, trainer and consultant. They hope these examples will help you to get a better understanding of the Linux system and that you feel encouraged to try out things on your own.

(No reviews, dead forums no news about any version in development but has good variety of Debian stable based distros with many de's)

Kindly inform me if there are any other distros based on Debian stable I missed. Also if you have tested Snowlinux please inform me about it.

Actually I just wish to pick a single distro from these and what I want is to have three de's in that OS. I wish to have Gnome, KDE and Xfce. I am not installing Debian 6 because I have read at many places that the KDE of the current stable is very buggy. So I am also thinking to select Mepis since its KDE is very stable and add Gnome and Xfce in it. Or I may dual boot Mepis and Solus OS. Kindly guide me.

Debian Stable is the Best and Most Stable distro based on Debian Stable, in my opinion. If you've read it's not stable, then share the links so we can discuss.

I do not understand why you need KDE and Gnome and Xfce? Just pick one.

Debian stable is without doubt the best and most stable distro. Its default Gnome DE is the best and most stable. However its KDE is buggy. I don't know why as it should not be but it is. I wish to have Gnome and KDE because both are mature DEs and both have a lot of applications. If there is a way to run KDE applications in Gnome I won't bother to install KDE DE. Kindly inform if there is some way.

I think perhaps you've been fed some misinformation, but without knowing the source, I can't rebut. Why not give it a try and test your theories? Debian live CDs are available here: http://live.debian.net/

If there is a way to run KDE applications in Gnome I won't bother to install KDE DE. Kindly inform if there is some way.

You can run any program on any DE, all that is needed are the base libraries. For example, if you run Debian with Gnome and want to use kdenlive (a powerful video editor) just install it, the needed libraries will be installed automatically without pulling in the whole KDE desktop.

I think perhaps you've been fed some misinformation, but without knowing the source, I can't rebut. Why not give it a try and test your theories? Debian live CDs are available here: http://live.debian.net/

Thanks snowpine for the link. It seems that there is nothing wrong with Debian's KDE. However, installing Debian seems a lot of work for an inexperienced person like me and the Debian based distros work out of the box. So it would be easier for me to begin with Debian based distros first and then migrate fully to Debian. As you are a senior member, kindly inform me if the KDE applications are just the same applications available in Gnome with different names? If so , I won't bother about KDE. Also I have read about Linux Mint Debian Edition. As it is based on Debian wheezy, I have read that it is possible to base it on Debian stable, like changing the repositories. But by only changing the repositories make it a stable distro as except repositories everything else would not be based on Debian stable. Kindly inform.

You can run any program on any DE, all that is needed are the base libraries. For example, if you run Debian with Gnome and want to use kdenlive (a powerful video editor) just install it, the needed libraries will be installed automatically without pulling in the whole KDE desktop.

I see. So that seems quite easy. Just download the application and it would work in Gnome. Great!

Thanks snowpine for the link. It seems that there is nothing wrong with Debian's KDE. However, installing Debian seems a lot of work for an inexperienced person like me and the Debian based distros work out of the box. So it would be easier for me to begin with Debian based distros first and then migrate fully to Debian. As you are a senior member, kindly inform me if the KDE applications are just the same applications available in Gnome with different names? If so , I won't bother about KDE. Also I have read about Linux Mint Debian Edition. As it is based on Debian wheezy, I have read that it is possible to base it on Debian stable, like changing the repositories. But by only changing the repositories make it a stable distro as except repositories everything else would not be based on Debian stable. Kindly inform.

And certainly you can be up and running the Live CD in just a few minutes (depending on the speed of your internet connection).

Debian uses a package management system called "apt" that resolves all dependencies. So whether you are installing a Gnome/GTK app or a KDE/Qt app, all necessary libraries will automagically be installed too.

You are correct that Debian has many excellent derivatives. I personally have had many pleasant experiences with Ubuntu, CrunchBang, AntiX, and others. By saying good things about Debian Stable I am not knocking these fine derivatives. The computer I am typing this from runs CrunchBang Wheezy.

Mepis, Saline, and Solus: it's a matter of desktop – KDE, Xfce, or Gnome 2. They're all great: see my reviews on this site. Mepis makes it easy to add encryption (vital for a laptop); I can't remember the others doing so.

Snow is a bit variable and few users, mostly German-speaking. The Gnome/Debian version was OK, but the poor quality of some of the others doesn't inspire confidence.

I use the Xfce edition of Snowlinux 2 on an old laptop and haven't had any problems. The Snowlinux advantage is that their Debian-based distros will fit on a single live CD (great for getting Debian to run live on pre-DVD hardware.) I did, however, add the repositories from MEPIS (to get updated Firefox; Snowlinux uses Chrome by default) and Debian Desktop (to get Xfce 4.8 in Debian Stable.)

If the installation is what's daunting you (which it seems is the case now), I'd recommend Mepis. FANTASTICALLY easy installer. I also am biased towards KDE over Gnome, although I do use a TON of Gnome based programs in my KDE installs.

I know nothing about Snowlinux or Solus OS. Saline uses the "backports" repository to get more up-to-date software than is available in "normal" Debian stable. As such, it's going to be a bit more modern than a base Debian install, although nothing is done that you couldn't easily set up and configure in Debian proper (or Mepis, for that matter).

Debian is a great distro vs the others and has lots of programs, but a quite outdated. Wheezy comes to the level of current RHEL/CENTOS/SL amd that is about 1-2 yrs old. Also, way out there vs arch/fedora/ubuntu based.

Debian is a great distro vs the others and has lots of programs, but a quite outdated. Wheezy comes to the level of current RHEL/CENTOS/SL amd that is about 1-2 yrs old. Also, way out there vs arch/fedora/ubuntu based.

Depends on your goals. If you want stability at the expense of up-to-date programs, Debian is great. It's lighter on system resources than most distros, except the ones that are explicitly created to run on old hardware. It tends to install safe drivers that work on a variety of hardware, and it's pretty easy to recompile your kernel later if you need to.